BORROWERS Residents of the Borough of Flemington and owners of property in the Borough may apply for a library card; this library is their primary library and will provide inter-library loan service.  Primary borrowers enjoy reciprocal borrowing privileges with the Hunterdon County Library.  Cards are issued to students and teachers of the Flemington-Raritan Schools and Hunterdon Central High School; inter-library loans and reciprocal borrowing privileges are not extended to these patrons.  Students and those in religious and educational fields who do not reside in Hunterdon County may join the library for an annual fee of $10.00.  Non-resident membership for others may be purchased on an annual basis. CIRCULATION The regular loan period is four weeks for most books, audio books and VHS.  New materials circulate for two weeks.  DVD circulation is limited to a period of one week.  The current issue of a periodical does not circulate, but back issues may be borrowed for two weeks.  The loan period for music cds is also two weeks.  Renewals on all materials are granted in the absence of requests by others for these materials and may be done by telephone.  Bulk and special loans may be arranged to accommodate special needs.  All materials may be returned to any branch of the Hunterdon County Library.   Regular books, audio books, VHS:  four weeks New materials: two weeks Magazines: two weeks Music cds: two weeks DVDs: one week FINES Fines for overdue materials will be charged at the rate of ten cents per item per day that the library is open.  Fines for overdue DVDs will be charged at the rate of one dollar per day.  The maximum fine is the actual replacement cost of the item. PHILOSOPHY OF ACCESS This library has adopted the American Library Association’s document “The Library Bill of Rights” as expressing its philosophy of service.   Access to materials is open to all.  We believe it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to guide their children’s selection of appropriate materials. INTERNET ACCESS Free Internet access is available to all persons.  We recognize a parent’s right and responsibility to restrict their own child’s access to library resources.

 

 

CONDUCT IN THE LIBRARY

 

The Flemington Free Public Library endeavors to provide a safe, quiet, and comfortable environment in which all persons, regardless of age, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion, or economic status, are able to make use of library resources and services. In order to facilitate unhampered and equal access for all patrons to the collections and services of the library, the Flemington Free Public Library has adopted the following regulations governing the use of the Library.

 

Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building. These activities may include reading, studying, tutoring, quiet meetings, reading quietly to a child, making use of audiovisual resources, attending a program or viewing an exhibit. Patrons not engaged in any of these activities may be asked to leave the building. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.

The following activities are not permitted in the library:

1. Eating or drinking at computer stations or near other electronic equipment.

2. Smoking.

3. Talking loudly, running or engaging in other disruptive or noisy activities.

4. Bringing animals into the library, except those needed to assist a person with a disability.

5. Misusing the restrooms (i.e. bathing or doing laundry).

6. Sitting on a table or placing feet on furniture.

7. Following or staring at others with intent to annoy.

8. Interfering with another person’s use of the library or with the library personnel’s performance of their duties, or behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons.

9. Leaving a child under the age of 9 unattended in the library without the supervision of an adult.

10. Carrying a weapon into the library unless authorized by law.

11. Damaging or stealing library property.

12. Playing audio equipment so others can hear it.

13. Soliciting contributions or signatures.

14. Refusing to leave the library at closing time or in an emergency.

 

In addition, activities in the library are also governed by local ordinances and state and/or federal law.

 

Anyone engaged in any of the above activities may, after warning by library personnel and failure to heed such warning, be asked to leave the premises.  Police assistance may be utilized if an individual refuses to leave the library when asked.  Violations of the library’s rules may result in suspension of library privileges, including the right to use the facility and/or borrow materials.  The individual whose use of the library has been suspended or restricted may appeal to the board of trustees to reverse the decision, modify the terms, or to reinstate his or her privileges.  All provisions of this policy shall be enforced in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner.